Xavier at Oklahoma State: 2021-22 key storylines for non-conference matchup

Points in the paint

This is a particularly important storyline for the fact that the painted area is where the points are going to come from in this game. When points in the paint are discussed it is not solely referring to the center posting up and drop stepping in order to seal off his man to be able to put the ball off the backboard.

Xavier’s ‘bigman’ currently is Jack Nunge – who averages over eleven points – who is just as likely to attempt a three-point shot or foul line jumper as he is to use his footwork in the post. Oklahoma State has 6’10 Memphis transfer, Moussa Cisse playing at the center position, and has not been saddled with the responsibility of creating his own shots by Coach Boynton.

The points in the paint will also originate from the backcourt getting into the restricted area and challenging the rim protectors for neither team can hit a three-point shot. The Cowboys connect on fewer than five three-pointers per game with a success rate of 29 percent. The Cowboys’ top three-point shooter is Keylan Boone – who plays 15 minutes a game – as he is the only player to average more than one three-pointer.  The Musketeers are led by Nate Johnson who averages three made three-pointers but as a team, the Musketeers shot 32 percent.

Abandoning the three-point shot in favor of closer shots is not as easy as it sounds, as both these teams are strong defensively inside the three-point line. Add the additional difficulty of a  three-pointer not being a threat, the defense will be even more intense. Opponents connect on 40.4 percent of their two-point field goal attempts versus the Sooners which is the eleventh lowest percentage. The Musketeers are even more impressive as they have the No.9 ranked two-point defense at 40.3 percent.

The reason for the great two-point defensive numbers is that the points in the paint are not coming in the form of layups as Oklahoma State averages the fifth-most blocks and the Musketeers sit at No.23. In non-conference games worth mentioning the Cowboys scored 42 points in the paint versus N.C State in a 74-68 victory and 20 in their loss to Wichita State. Xavier has demonstrated a higher degree of competency when it comes to scoring in the paint as they scored 42 in a six-point victory over Ohio State and 42 in their 82-70 loss to Witchita State.